若年期の摂食制限の記憶がもつ成年期の摂食行動における役割

2021 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21F21082
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: McHugh Thomas 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳神経科学研究センター, チームリーダー (50553731)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): ZHOU YIJUN 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳神経科学研究センター, 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-28 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: hippocampus / hypothalmus / hunger / memory

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

During the last fiscal year we have made great progress on this project. Using viral based tracing methods we have confirmed an synaptic inputs from the subiculum, an output region of the hippocampus, to POMC+ neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. In parallel a novel behavioral task to assay context-dependent hunger memory has been established and in vivo calcium imaging of POMC+ neurons via fiber photometry has confirmed that a context paired with hunger can alter both feeding behavior and modulate POMC neuronal activity. These results support our general hypothesis and will be used to guide the next stage of the project.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Anatomical characterization of this novel circuit has progressed very smoothly. We have also established a novel behavioral paradigm that will be used for the next phase of the project.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In the next fiscal year optogenetic manipulation of the subiculum-hypothalamic circuit will be conducted to interrogate its role in the encoding and expression of contextual memory driven feeding. Both inhibition and excitation of terminals in the arcuate nucleus will be performed during the memory recall sessions. We will combine these approaches with in vivo monitoring of neuronal activity to understand how contextual memory impacts the feeding circuits of the hypothalmus.